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Good Software

Entry 128, on 2005-02-09 at 17:18:31 (Rating 1, Computers)

Its now over a year since I started creating serious web sites and databases using MySQL and PHP. Up until then I had used commercial tools such as FileMaker Pro, Fourth Dimension, and Panorama.

If you don't know, MySQL is a database manager, originally designed for Unix, that also works on the Unix-based Mac OS X. PHP is a server-side scripting language with a similar history. Both work well in conjunction with the world's leading web-server, Apache. A common acronym used when these tools are combined with Linux is LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) but I prefer MAMP, because I use Mac OS X instead of Linux.

By using Mac OS X I get the reliability and power of Unix with the ease of use, and elegant interface design of Apple. Its the best OS by far for the type of work I do. And it has the added advantage that I don't need to use any Microsoft products so viruses and other miscellaneous annoyances aren't a problem!

There are various reasons I like this environment so much. First, all of the software is free. If anyone ever had any questions about the power, efficiency, and safety of using free software, this should dispel any doubt. The cost, security, and reliability make the expensive equivalents from Microsoft look like junk. And no, despite what Microsoft says, that doesn't make me a communist!

The second big benefit of this software is the huge user base who are prepared to share tips and tricks, code, and advice on the best way to get things done. If I ever have a problem getting something to work, a quick search of the Web usually finds a solution.

The third benefit is the incredible flexibility of these tools. MySQL is based on the structured query language, and is a very comprehensive way to process data. PHP isn't an elegant language, but it is very capable and gets the job done without pretending to be anything more than a purely functional tool.

Finally, the performance of these tools is exceptional. MySQL has a reputation of being the fastest database manager around. Obviously it depends on the type of data you have and the type of processing, but overall I think this is true. I can process multi-million record databases in a few seconds even on older computers. PHP is outstandingly fast and I just never notice any pauses when it is running.

So I have a free development environment running on my Macs which allows me to work the way I want to. In other environments I have to change the structure of my databases to maintain speed, or overcome deficiencies in the tools involved, but with MAMP I can just build my systems the way I want because I know I can rely on the speed and reliability of the programs I am using. It allows me to concentrate more on creating and less on the tedious fine details.

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